R -- SEEK EAGLE DIGITAL VIDEO INITIATIVE-PHASE 2

Notice Date

February 8, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AAC -- Air Armament Center, AAC/PK, 205 West D Avenue, Suite 433, Eglin AFB, FL, 32542-6864

ZIP Code

32542-6864

Solicitation Number

F08635-01-R-0041

Response Due

February 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Patrick McKeown, Contracts Manager, Phone 850-882-4141 X4556, Fax 850-882-9685, Email patrick.mckeown@eglin.af.mil -- Lorna Tedder, Contracting Officer, Phone (850)882-4141 X4557, Fax (850)882-9685, Email

E-Mail Address

Patrick McKeown (patrick.mckeown@eglin.af.mil)

Description

The Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office (AFSEO), an organization within the 46th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, FL, is interested in implementing recommendations from a Phase 1 pilot-study (F08635-00-M-0053) that evaluated the aircraft-store certification process of the AFSEO for full spectrum integration of digital video technology. The pilot-study was produced by the Sarnoff Corporation, 201 Washington Road, Princeton NJ, from November 2000-February 2001. The study resulted in a roadmap that defined options for implementation of digital video capabilities within AFSEO. As part of the Phase 2 effort, the application and potential implementation of selected digital video technologies into the Army's and Navy's aircraft-store certification processes would also be examined and verified by the contractor through site visits. A final DoD roadmap for digital video technologies insertion would be produced by the contractor for these processes. AFSEO is contemplating award of a sole source Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for the Phase 2 effort to Sarnoff. Upon direction from the Government management team, the contractor will implement selected digital video technology tools into the AFSEO_s aircraft stores certification process. Selection will be based upon availability, cost, and anticipated benefits of information technologies and tools that may be used for the analysis of digital data. Depending on funding availability, selected digital video technology tools will also be implemented in the Army and Navy aircraft store certification processes that coincide with the final DoD roadmap. The AFSEO has been designated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Central Test and Evaluation Investment Program (CTEIP) community as the Air Force lead for the initial insertion and integration of digital video technology of airborne sensors (cameras) into flight test operations. Several digital cameras have already been delivered to Eglin AFB and are being integrated into an F-16 aircraft. Other than delivery of several new sensors and the peripheral equipment for aircraft integration, no digital video technology provisions have been made by OSD for the end-to-end aircraft/stores certification test processes which also include areas of test planning, test reports, and archiving of test data or reports. Accomplishing the implementation of selected digital video technologies and completing a DoD roadmap is critical to minimizing costs associated with the transition now occurring from film and analog video to digital video at Eglin AFB and other Army and Navy facilities. Developing and initiating an aggressive, holistic approach to this transition in the next 8 -- 10 months will significantly reduce the disruption costs associated with extended use of film and analog video as well as test processes and paradigms not optimized for full spectrum leverage of digital video technology. Accomplishing this task in minimum time with maximum effectiveness of output requires utilization of a contractor with the following qualifications: 1) Organic knowledge of the full spectrum of technologies associated with development and applications of digital video systems, including sensors, compression, transmission, processing, exploitation, metadata, multimedia fusion, storage, retrieval, and presentation. This includes, but is not limited to: a) Digital video imaging sensors and systems; b) Conversion of film to a digital format with no significant loss in fidelity; c) Digital video compression in multiple formats, frame rates, and with techniques that utilize full resolution of all components at dynamic ranges equal to, or exceeding, that of MPEG-2; d) Perceptual quality measurement techniques for video quality metering; e) Digital video stabilization algorithms which can be implemented in both real-time and non real-time scenarios; f) Digital video archive and retrieval systems; g) Digital studio procedures which allow users to access data in a variety of formats from a variety of sources; h) Video compositing and mosaicing methods that provide extended resolution and expanded context beyond a traditional field of view; i) Moving target indication algorithms to locate and track the paths of several objects within a field of view; j) Compressed domain-processing techniques, which allow for some analysis of video without the need to decompress; k) Visualization techniques which provide novel and innovative ways to display a range of data within video; and l) Metadata technology, which allows for the storage of data within compressed digital video bitstreams. 2) Firm connections and understanding of the commercial digital video market including commercial research and development laboratories. 3) Experience with process oriented integration of digital video into military and other government agency applications. To date, only the Sarnoff Corporation meets these criteria and can accomplish the desired task within the specified time constraints. Sarnoff has demonstrated these capabilities through the Phase 1 effort and other government contracts. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only; it does not constitute an IFB or RFP and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited. Prospective contractors must submit evidence substantiating they possess the detailed knowledge and capabilities indicated previously. One document is required of no more than twenty pages (8.5_ x 11_) in length providing such evidence in addition to details of the assumed approach of the study, a rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost and a proposed schedule for the study. This document must be submitted no later than 15 days upon the dated release of this request. Please ensure that the format for the document is compatible with MS Office 97. If other software applications are used, please contact the Contracting Officer to ensure compatibility. In responding, reference RFP F08635-01-R-0041. Forward qualification packages to AAC/PKZA, Attn: Capt Patrick D. McKeown, 205 West D Avenue, Suite 467, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6864. For further information concerning technical aspects, contact Steve Hoernlein, Lt Col, USAF, at 850-882-9811 extension 3206 or e-mail: stephen.hoernlein@eglin.af.mil. For contractual information, contact Capt Patrick D. McKeown at 850-882-4141 extension 4556 or e-mail: patrick.mckeown@eglin.af.mil. An Ombudsman has been appointed to address concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or contracting officer, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Matters of a routine or administrative nature concerning this acquisition should not be addressed to the Ombudsman but rather to the Contracting Officer, Contract Manager, or the Program Manager. For any other concerns, interested parties may call the AAC Ombudsman, Dr. Mario J. Caluda at (850) 882-5558. See notes 22, 25, and 26.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS.woa/wa/SPF?A=P&P=F08635-01-R-0041&L=1182)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010212/RSOL002.HTM (D-039 SN50D1A7)